The guidelines placed upon us by the government mandates that people wear face masks when out in public and interacting with one another. As the lockdown slowly eases, a whole new set of new issues come with it. Many people have taken to making their own masks at home to combat the shortage of masks and some are even selling or donating them to the underprivileged. However, constant usage of masks can often lead to your skin getting irritated. This can cause you to develop random skin breakouts or unnecessary changes in the texture of your skin. Here are seven ways you can avoid skin irritation and other problems while wearing a face mask.
1. Pick The Right Fabric
The fabric you choose to wear must be breathable, soft, and natural. It’s best to stick to cotton as it is easy to use and the most easily available. You can also make use of a cotton scarf or bandanna and tie it around your face as a mask. Synthetic face masks can cause your skin to get irritated and may even cause a reaction to occur. If you start to notice your skin getting more sensitive after wearing a certain type of mask, switch to a more natural alternative. Many people recommend layering tight layers of cotton fabric together to create a filtration barrier that would keep out all the unnecessary bacteria and other germs.
2. Maintain Good Facial Hygiene
If you are going out for a grocery supply run it’s a good idea to use a gentle face wash right before you leave. When you get home make sure you wash the sweat and grime off your face with a deep cleansing face wash. If you are someone who tends to get breakouts easily or you have very oily skin, you should make sure you wash your face properly and use a good toner to shrink your pores and avoid breakouts.
3. Skip The Face Paint
No seriously. The best way to ensure your skin stays clear and doesn’t get irritated or over-sensitive is to avoid wearing makeup altogether. After all, your skin truly deserves a break and you need to let it breathe. Makeup and face masks don’t go all that well together. If you’re someone who is already extremely prone to acne, makeup is the last thing you should be reaching for while running daily errands.
4. Treat Your Acne
The bottom line is that your existing acne will just get triggered even more if you place any material on it that it doesn’t agree with. In some severe cases of acne, you should make sure you’re extremely careful about the type of material you use. You should also ensure that you’re getting your acne treated so that mask usage doesn’t exacerbate the problem further.
5. Skip Deep Exfoliation For Sometime
Aggressively exfoliating your skin to get rid of acne is not the best idea as this can lead to your skin getting red and even further irritated. Regular exfoliation can cause damage to the delicate layers of your facial skin and leave it exposed to the elements. Stick to just using deep cleansers, foaming cleansers, or oil clearing face washes during this time. Using a cleanser that contains salicylic acid is a good idea as this helps prevent breakouts. It is also important to wash your face as soon as you get home or simply take a shower and wash off all the grime. End your routine with a regular toning, moisturizing nighttime skincare regime and your skin will thank you for it (1).
6. Give Your Skin The Occasional TLC
You might be at a stage in self-isolation where you feel like you don’t really give a crap about pampering your skin or indulging in any of your old skincare routines. However, it is important to remember that your skin still needs some tender loving care (geddit now?). Indulge in the occasional hydrating face mask if you start to notice any dryness in your skin. Look for a facemask that contains witch hazel, aloe vera, or salicylic acid if you’re prone to oily skin.
7. Moisturize Daily
This is a crucial piece of advice to those who are plagued with problems related to dry skin. Keeping your skin hydrated is essential to make sure it still retains its youthful look. If you’re having break outs, focus on acne spot treatments and if you have dry skin, focus on keeping your skin feeling fresh and hydrated.
While skin irritation might be painful and a nuisance, it shouldn’t be ignored as it will only get worse the more you do. Since the government has advised social distancing, it is best to avoid going outdoors unless it is absolutely necessary. Do let us know if any of our tips were beneficial to you.